The World Cup Park: A Complete Guide To The Most Underrated Park In Seoul

What is the best park in Seoul? There are a lot of answers but I think World Cup Park is the most underrated park in Seoul. It’s massive and most visitors only see a very small popular part of it and nothing else. Living so close to the World Cup Parks means that I’ve been able to go there and have a good look around on plenty of occasions.

Last year, when the little one was just learning to walk, we must have headed there at least once a week to climb, dig, walk, run, fall, pick flowers and do all kinds of other things. From flowering cherry blossom trees in the spring to tulips, cosmos in the autumn and more in the way of natural beauty, there’s something to see almost year round in World Cup Park. 

You could spend countless weekends in the parks and continue to see different views and partake in different activities. There is also a substantial pond with a boardwalk not to mention the Han River to picnic on and children’s playgrounds as well.

There are camping zones on the Han Riverside as well as on a hill overlooking the city. There’s a super cheap riverside infinity pool to soak in in the summer and an ecological park area to get lost in.

Amazingly, most websites about World Cup Park will only direct you to visit one small portion of it called Haneul Park, or Sky Park, and the only time to go there is in the autumn or late summer. Basically, no one is doing the park justice so that’s why I made this guide.

To quickly skip to a specific park within the World Cup Parks system, click below:

• How To Get There
• Basic Info
• What To Know
• Areas of World Cup Park
  • Sky Park OR Haneul Park
  • Nanji Stream Park OR Nanjicheon Park
  • Pyeonghwa Park OR Peace Park
  • Nanji Han River Park OR Nanji Hangang Park
  • Sunset Park OR Noeul Park
  • Meta-Sequoia Trail & Flower Alley
• What To See Nearby
  • The Oil Tank Culture Park

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How To Get There

Address: 487-359 Seongsan-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 성산동 487-359)

How To Get There: Head to World Cup Station, exit 1. Walk straight to the main street. If you cross the street, you’ll head straight into Pyeonghwa Park. Turn right and walk straight along the large road and Sky Park will come up first across the street. If you want to go to Nanji Stream Park, hop onto the Mapo local bus 08 at the bus stop under the bridge just outside of the stadium and get off a few stops down the road.

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Basic Info

Hours:

Haneul Park & Noeul Park
Jan: 9:00am – 7:00pm
Feb, Oct: 9:00am – 7:30pm
Mar, Sep: 9:00am – 8:00pm
Apr, May: 9:00am – 8:30pm
Jun, Jul, Aug: 9:00am – 9:00pm
Nov, Dec: 9:00am – 6:30am

Pyeonghwa Park & Nanjicheon Park
Open 24 hrs. a day, year-round

Admission: Free

Amenities: Parking, wheelchair rental, restrooms, sports facilities, jogging/biking paths

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What To Know

World Cup Park was opened in 2002 to commemorate the 17th FIFA World Cup. The site of a 15 year old landfill was converted over a period of seven years into the beautiful scenery there today. I love seeking out places and spaces that have been used and now are re-used as something completely different. 

Anyway in World Cup Park, the larger park is made up of five parks including: the Sky Park (Haneul Park or 하늘공원), Sunset Park (Noeul Park or 노을공원), Nanji Stream Park (Nanjicheon Park or 난지천공원), Nanji Han River Park (Nanji Hangang Park or 난지한강공원) and Peace Park (Pyeonghwa Park or 평화의공원).

The World Cup Park is one of those parks that doesn’t seem to get hyped up as much as it should in my opinion. Most people head to the Yeouido Han Riverside, Seoul Forest, or Children’s Grand Park, which are awesome for sure, but World Cup Park really has it all in one area.

If you want to take a good walk or hike up a small mountain, you can. If you want to swim or dip your toes in a stream, you can. If you want to rent bikes and ride on paths or ride in a bike park, you can. There are places to camp, picnic, jog and more.

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Areas of World Cup Park

Sky Park OR Haneul Park (하늘공원)

Sky Park park is by far the most popular of the parks in this parks system. Yet, I personally don’t find it super appealing until the end of the summer and into the autumn. While it does offer fabulous views of the city out over the Han River year round, the fields are stark and bare for much of the spring and into the summer before the tall Eulalia grasses have really filled in.

If you’re headed to the area in the spring, there are just better places to go in my opinion. Into August, the tall grasses are green, the trails leading in, out and around make you feel as if you’re the only one there and there is even a substantial sunflower field. Then into the autumn, the grasses start to brown and wave in the autumn winds, the sunflowers are removed and cosmos bloom.

There is a festival celebrating the grasses for a couple weeks at the beginning of October each year and during this time it is absolutely packed. The festival here can get pretty packed so if you want to get away from the crowds here, try heading up to First Garden in Paju and while you’re up there, you can visit the Majang Suspension Bridge.

The site of this park was used as a landfill from 1978 until 1993. Plants and animals returned to the once desolate area and now it’s absolutely lush and beautiful. You’d never know you’re standing atop a bunch of decaying trash except for the intermittent pipes that release gases from beneath the ground. Don’t worry though, nothing is hazardous. 

This mound had hit capacity with over 92 million tons of garbage. Dirt was piled on top and the vents and tubes scattered on the mountain maintain safety and recycle the methane gas produced from the mountain into fuel for World Cup Stadium and the nearby neighborhoods.

The area has been completely transformed through the Landfill Recovery Project started in 1996 with the grasses that have been planted and the release of 30 thousand butterflies to establish a natural ecosystem once again. From this park views of the city, Mt. Namsan, Mt. Bukhansan and Mt. Gwanaksan.

To access this park, visitors can opt to climb the 291 step staircase that weaves this way and that or they can take an electric car for a small fee from the parking lot. It’s not too high and families with children are often seen walking up the hillside to see what they can see from the most iconic park in the system.

Birdhouses are here and there and flower plots too. There are areas to take off your shoes and walk through pebbles to massage the feet and relax the body and a few lookout points to view the city.

• Amenities: Disabled parking and accessible restrooms, wheelchair accessible ticket and information booths and ramps, convenience store/cafe

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Nanji Stream Park OR Nanjicheon Park (난지천공원)

Probably the MOST overlooked park of the five that make up the World Cup Parks, this is our absolute favorite for so many reasons. This park is where most of the locals with children and families hoping to play sports head.

It’s one of the best things to do with kids in the area that’s for sure. There are two large playgrounds for children, one with a soft green ground covering and one with sand, as well as basketball courts open to anyone and soccer fields available upon reservation.

This park is also flanked by parking lots so most visitors will park here in order to catch the electric car up to Sky Park efficiently bypassing the beauty of Nanji Stream Park. Don’t make that mistake though.

This park not only offers recreational fun for children and adults, but it also has some beautifully curated plots of land with flowers for stunning photo-ops. From buckwheat to sunflowers to cosmos, tulips, and more, there are two substantial plots that are changed almost monthly from May until October.

Each year there are different flowers too so honestly I can’t tell you what will be blooming this year, but I just know it will be beautiful. You should visit in the spring, visit again in the summer, and one more time in the autumn to see the plots seasonally.

The large plots are a huge draw for us, but more than that there are also flowering cherry blossom trees and double cherry blossom trees hidden away that few stop to enjoy, Japanese Dogwood trees and Cornelia flowering trees as well.

There’s a forested path that backs up to the road so there’s a bit of separation between the park and the traffic. There’s also a stream, hence the name, that runs through this park and wooden boardwalks to walk along to listen to the frogs croaking and look for the fish swimming.

A substantial field in the center of this park is where people can be found flying kites in the summer, holding group events and tossing a frisbee. Easy to locate restrooms in a few different places in this park and two convenience stores as well make this an amazing park that people should stop overlooking.

This is the perfect place to have a picnic, get some gorgeous photos, partake in some physical activity and enjoy the day. Did I mention there are bunnies that hop to and fro as well and you can feed them from your hand?

• Amenities: accessible restrooms, convenience stores, basketball courts, soccer field, 2 children’s playgrounds with mat ground cover & sand ground cover, walking/jogging path, bike path, picnic tables

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Pyeonghwa Park OR Peace Park (평화의공원)

This park is connected to World Cup Stadium/Homeplus via a bridge and is centered around a large pond. The side nearest the stadium is a cement and wooden boardwalk with trees and numerous benches for lounging and relaxing. In the summer, people flock to this SUBSTANTIAL park to picnic it up and set up tents.

While there are quite a lot of families and couples that head here, there is always plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the area. With the Mapo Agricultural and Fishery Market just next door to purchase a great sashimi picnic or some fruit and veggies, this is the place to squat all day.

This park is also closest to the largest parking lot in the area, which is probably also why it gets the most people on weekends. This is probably the most family friendly of all of the parks in the area because there are numerous bathrooms, there is a playground, installations to climb on and find, a waterfall, and the entire area is flat unlike some of the other parks.

Walking around the pond, the cement boardwalk changes into brick paths that lead into a more forested area. There is also a children’s playground with slides, water fountains and sand and swings.

This was the location of a gardening expo in 2016 and though it was already quite artistic, it is now even more so. There are so many cool photo-ops here what with the interesting artistic installations and natural eco-system.

The art installations here aren’t as large as the ones at the Anyang Art Park or Gimpo Sculpture Park, but this park is easier to get to if you want to get some cool photos in parks with modern artistic installations.

The areas nearest the pond and the playground are the most frequented, but this park also extends quite a bit back and offers loads of land to squat on and enjoy the day. If you head here, take a good walk around to really see the place.

There is a stream that flows through here and brick bridges that cross over it. There are tall grassy areas and plenty of trees to provide shade. There are plots of bamboo and magnolia trees that bloom in the spring.

There are two convenience stores and three restrooms in this park as well as a path that denotes a walking lane as well as a bike lane to keep people moving and grooving happily if they wish to do so. There are also bunnies that hop to and fro in this park (when there aren’t a TON of people in the area) and you can feed them little clovers when they’re out in the evenings if you can spot them.

And much like other parks in the city, in the spring, this is also a beautiful place to visit to see tulips. These colorful flowers are planted and bloom each spring and while other parks are quite busy, this one hasn’t been when we’ve visited over the past few years or so.

This park is also connected via bridges to Nanji Stream Park, Sky Park and the Nanji Hangang Park so if you’re taking a REALLY good walk around, you should be able to at least visit a couple in the same day. This park is host to quite a few different events throughout the year like the expo last year and a Shrimp Festival and Culture Festival too. You never know what you’ll find here.

The shrimp festival is held each October and celebrates saeujeot, or small salted shrimp, that is often used to add salt to soups or as a dip. While it seems like a funny thing to have a whole festival around, it was a good time if I do say so myself.

Saeujeot is commonly seen on tables with dishes like jokbal, or pig’s feet. Of the three sauces the dish is served with, the most important sauce is saeujeot (새우젓), a salty condiment made with tiny fermented shrimp. “Saeu” (새우) means shrimp and “jeot” (젓) stands for any salty fermented condiment used for pickling or as a seasoning.

The shrimp are usually salted and fermented for two to three months before being served up with dishes like pigs feet or bossam. The festival had plenty to purchase and take away if you want, but there were also tents full of food to eat on the day and concerts and performances too. It was actually a great event to attend for a little something to do. There are often events like this all the way to marathons held at this park so be prepared.

• Amenities: accessible restrooms, two convenience stores, bike path, walk/jogging path, picnic tables, tennis courts, picturesque scenes for photography

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Nanji Hangang Park OR Nanji Han River Park (난지한강공원)

Nanji Hangang Park stretches for some distance between Seongsan Bridge on the eastern end and Gayang Bridge on the western end. Because it’s much easier to get to the portion near Seongsan Bridge via public transport, you will find more people on the eastern end of the park. There is also a public swimming pool just west of Seongsan Bridge that is rather popular during the hot and humid summer months.

While this one is easier to access and thus more popular, there is actually an infinity pool that is also in the area and is perfect for families with children or couples hoping to get some infinity pool photos. Though it’s not really a romantic spot what with all of the kids in all honesty.

There is a ton to do in, on, and around the Han River, don’t miss these 10 Ways To Enjoy the Han River! Due to the Hangang Renaissance Project, this area has seen a dramatic renewal in the past five years or so.

Paths that were once litter strewn and desolate have been repaired and cleaned up and activity spaces added. From a bike park with dirt ramps and more for the biking enthusiast to baseball fields and a large area used for concerts that overlooks the river, there is a lot to see here.

This park also features the Nanji Ecological Park that has a wooden boardwalk that leads out over a swampy area. A camp ground where the tents and all of the amenities are already there for rent invites locals to the area each spring and into the autumn. 

For the nature lovers there are willow trees and two fields of cosmos that bloom each autumn. Much of the other space in the area is either used for specific activities, bike rental and racing or are open fields for anyone to enjoy. If you’re looking for more open space and less people keep heading west and if you want to be near more convenience stores and people, stay east.

There was also an additional highlight added to the area at the end of 2017 that makes it really fun. Do not miss the Seoul Battleship Park. While it’s technically in the Mangwon Han River Park, it’s just next to the swimming pool so you could walk right over.

The site holds four vessels with the largest, Frigate Seoul, being a 1,900 ton genuine decommissioned naval battleship that is floating off shore in the Han River. There’s also a convoy, high speed boat, and a submarine that you can walk in and around. This is really interesting a great spot for the kids who love their transportation toys.

You can also catch a ride on a yacht from here, rent some of those duck paddle boats and partake in more watersports in the area too. This park really stretches for some distance and is NOT easily seen on foot. I would highly recommend renting bikes if you don’t have some to see the entirety of the park and find the most suitable spot for you.

There is so much space here, but again, most people hang out near the swimming pool on the eastern end and don’t move from that. There is a large water fountain area that spouts water for 15 minutes each hour for a number of hours on hot summer days and is another great spot to check out.

The campgrounds here are all inclusive providing the tents, the grills and everything else you’d need to have an amazing experience camping out on the Han. Bring your own food, but enjoy a fun time with your friends in an array of tents that are offered from the small to the large for couples to groups.

• Amenities: convenience stores, accessible restrooms, parking, bike rental, 2 swimming pools, baseball fields, ecological park, bike paths, dirt soccer fields, campgrounds

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Sunset Park or Noeul Park (노을공원)

While similar in rise to the Sky Park and maybe considered to be the little brother of Sky Park, this park is actually nothing like the more visited Sky Park. While this one takes a little more work to get to, it offers a vastly different experience once atop. This park is most famous for the huge campgrounds set on the hill.

People don’t often visit just to meander this hillside but rather to stay for the night. While you don’t have to stay for the night, there are lots of activities for the people looking to spend the weekend here.

A park golf course, sculptures and views of the city provide the most fun here. While we haven’t camped out up there yet, the campers sure looked like they were enjoying the space and I hope to get us up there this summer.

• Amenities: park golf course, restrooms, cafe, convenience store, dirt walking paths, scenic views of the city, electric car transportation to the top, campgrounds

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Meta-Sequoia Trail & Flower Alley

This is easily one of the best views of the World Cup Parks and likely often quiet as it’s on the backside away from subways and the parking lots. It’s a bit difficult to say which park this lane is attributed to.

Connected to Nanji Stream Park via a road, which is how we get to it, it’s on the backside (southern side) of Sky and Sunset Parks abutting the highway. It’s probably the most difficult spot to get to or find if you don’t know it’s there and that’s one big reason I LOVE it.

There are rarely people here and yet the beauty is immense. The trail on the southern side of Sky Park is lined with tall meta-sequoia trees that are beautiful throughout the year. As you can see, taking family pics in this picturesque area is one of our favorite things to do in every season!

The section of the path that is on the southern side of Sunset park is lined with Japanese dogwood bushes that burst into yellow blooms in the spring and cherry blossom trees too. It’s one of THE MOST picturesque spots I’ve found in Seoul and yet, I’ve been there numerous times and only seen a handful of people enjoying the colors at any one time.

If you want to find this area, here are the best directions I can give you: Head to Haneul Park/Sky Park parking lot. From there, most people will hop on an electric train to get up to the top of the mountain. DO NOT get on the train, BUT go to where the train picks up and just follow that path.

You’ll pass the staircase that goes all the way up and then you’ll come to a fork. The train going up, would take the path to the right, but if you want to see the meta-sequoia trees, you’ll take the path to the left. It’s really not that difficult.

Just follow the pavement and then the pavement changes to dirt and you’ll see the trees before you. Walk along the meta-sequoia trees and eventually this path changes into the forsythia lined lane for the second half. You could potentially walk on this path all the way around and back to Nanji Stream Park.

There is one lone accessible restroom in the middle where the meta-sequoia trees end and the forsythia bushes begin and a few sporadically placed picnic tables, but other than that, this area has largely been left alone.

Though, someone is clearly caring for the path and keeping it swept of debris. For spring flowers, this is where we’ll be heading once again. It’s beautiful and untouched and great for those hoping to get pretty pictures.

• Amenities: accessible restrooms, picnic tables

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The Oil Tank Culture Park

While this park may not technically be a part of the World Cup Parks system, it is right across the street and is the newest addition to the area. The ecologically friendly design that reused 6 oil tanks is a cultural and artistic area that has events continuously and is definitely a spot to check out for anyone into urban exploration. From outdoor markets and concerts to exhibitions, there is a ton going on there and there is sure to be plenty more year by year. A must see if you’re interested in urban renewal.

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Where To Go Nearby:

This park offers a ton to see and do, but when you’re ready to head out, there is plenty to of spots to check out. If you’re looking for a spot with a little hipster vibe, head to the eats and treats that are found in the Mangwon district. Mangwon wouldn’t be what it is today if Hongdae wasn’t there first though.

Hongdae is a popular arts and music district that is hopping late into the night. From street art to live music and plenty of cafes to find, there’s something in every building and on every corner that you need to see.

Another area that is nearby that has also become super popular with the spread of Hongdae into other neighborhoods is Yeonnam-dong. The neighborhood has a great park in the center that is really popular for picnickers in the summer.

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